McGovern adapted Joseph Mckeown's novel Back Crack Boy for this emotionally raw meditation on innocence and pain.

Frears in turn was influenced by James Joyce's accounts of his stern childhood in late 19th century Catholic Dublin.

The website's consensus reads: "Though Liam's harrowing story is reminiscent of Angela's Ashes, it showcases strong performances, including one by child actor Anthony Burrows.

"[4] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 74 out of 100, based on 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.

[5] Critics compared the film to the similarly themed Angela's Ashes, but Roger Ebert said Liam "is harder-edged, more unsparing".

According to him, the movie explores sin, shame, and fascism, but lacks epiphanies and meaningful redemption, leaving the audience battered and dispirited.